The 24th Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, set for July 11 to July 15, incorporated several new activities into its revised schedule of events, including a special food court and hands-on art for children.

Starting at Old Main and continuing down Allen Street, the festival will again feature sculptures as well as paintings, but a food court consisting of six small specialty food booths set up by community restaurants will be added to the festivities, said Lynette Drier, administrative assistant at the headquarters for the festival.

The restaurants must apply to be eligible to set up a booth at the festival, Drier said. On Jan. 16, each restaurant in the local area and in the five surrounding counties was mailed a notice by the arts festival committee about selling food during the festival.

Each store is allowed to either sell food in the court, or pay a higher fee to set up one of the other five booths that will be located along the festival route, Drier said. No final commitments had been made as of yesterday.

For added exposure to artists who have fine art exhibits at the Zoller Gallery of the Palmer Museum of Art and at the HUB gallery, both places will be open for viewing. Some of the art will be available for sale, Drier said.

"The places will provide a cool place to rest for everyone, and will also allow the artists to be seen, and in past years have often been overlooked," Drier said.

Children's Day on July 11 will feature hands-on art activities. A sidewalk display will feature artwork from regional schools made by children ranging in age from 8 to 18, said June Brown, co-coordinator for the children and youth division of the Arts Festival.

Brown said children can participate in all of the art activities on Thursday, Friday or Saturday at the festival, but "generally four times the amount of children will sell their art on children's day than on the other days of the festival."

Nearly 1,200 children in just the Central Parklet area alone last year participated in the hands-on activities, and Brown predicts a greater number will be involved this year.

As well as a dance for the teenagers and youths with a disc jockey from Altoona, University students will paint faces of festival patrons for free, Brown said.

A watercolor show, also something new this year, is going to be co-sponsored by the Palmer Museum of Art and the Arts Festival.

Festival-goers can enjoy their food while listening to bands, which have had a history of success at the festival. Last year, the music ranged from the jazz of Sonny Rollins, to the country/folk sounds of the Grammy-award winning Sleeping at the Wheel. Also featured last year was Solid Brass, a classical band.

Several new entertainers are scheduled to perform, Drier said. Two new bands Calliope, a Renaissance group, and Beausoleil, a Cajun / Country band, will be featured attractions. The Earthtones, a State College tradition, will return to perform.